State fisheries board elects new chairman

Published: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 10:16 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — A resident of Ruston who formerly oversaw a Louisiana chapter of Ducks Unlimited has been elected to serve as the next chairman of the state Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

The board regulates hunting as well as commercial and recreational fishing in Louisiana.

Ronny Graham, a general contractor who's currently chairman of the board of Lincoln Builders, said his top priority will be enhancing the public's hunting and fishing experience.

“I hope to leave the commission and the state's natural resources better off than when I started,” Graham said in an interview Friday.

Formerly vice chairman of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Graham was appointed three years ago by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

While he said his experiences with Ducks Unlimited and his company have provided him with more knowledge about north Louisiana, Graham said he also wants to focus part of his tenure on building upon the economic-development aspects of south Louisiana.

“That area represents billions of dollars, and it's all about the natural resources,” he said. “That's something we'll strive to improve, and we all want to make sure it's there for our children and grandchildren.”

Adam Einck, public information officer with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the leadership changes were ratified last week and took effect immediately.

Mike Voisin of Houma is the commission's new vice chairman, replacing Graham in a position that has traditionally served as a stepping-stone to the chairmanship.

Voisin is chief executive of Motivatit Seafoods in Houma and an active participant in oyster-related policy making in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. Last year, he received an honorary doctor of commerce degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

“We are known around the world and country for our tremendous seafood and wildlife resources,” Voisin said in a statement on the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' website. “It is critical that they are managed in a sustainable manner for our enjoyment today and future generations to come.”

As the new chairman, Graham is taking over the gavel from Ann L. Taylor of Luling, who was born and raised in Houma before moving to St. Charles Parish. She is co-owner and marketing director of Louisiana Sportsman Magazine.

Graham's background includes a stint on the conservation programs committee for Ducks Unlimited, and he once served as chairman for the Lincoln Parish Ducks Unlimited chapter.

Graham's term as Wildlife and Fisheries Board chairman ends in 2016, while Voisin's term is scheduled to expire in 2015. Taylor's term ends next year.

<p>BATON ROUGE — A resident of Ruston who formerly oversaw a Louisiana chapter of Ducks Unlimited has been elected to serve as the next chairman of the state Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.</p><p>The board regulates hunting as well as commercial and recreational fishing in Louisiana.</p><p>Ronny Graham, a general contractor who's currently chairman of the board of Lincoln Builders, said his top priority will be enhancing the public's hunting and fishing experience. </p><p>“I hope to leave the commission and the state's natural resources better off than when I started,” Graham said in an interview Friday.</p><p>Formerly vice chairman of the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Graham was appointed three years ago by Gov. Bobby Jindal. </p><p>While he said his experiences with Ducks Unlimited and his company have provided him with more knowledge about north Louisiana, Graham said he also wants to focus part of his tenure on building upon the economic-development aspects of south Louisiana. </p><p>“That area represents billions of dollars, and it's all about the natural resources,” he said. “That's something we'll strive to improve, and we all want to make sure it's there for our children and grandchildren.” </p><p>Adam Einck, public information officer with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the leadership changes were ratified last week and took effect immediately. </p><p>Mike Voisin of Houma is the commission's new vice chairman, replacing Graham in a position that has traditionally served as a stepping-stone to the chairmanship. </p><p>Voisin is chief executive of Motivatit Seafoods in Houma and an active participant in oyster-related policy making in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. Last year, he received an honorary doctor of commerce degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.</p><p>“We are known around the world and country for our tremendous seafood and wildlife resources,” Voisin said in a statement on the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' website. “It is critical that they are managed in a sustainable manner for our enjoyment today and future generations to come.”</p><p>As the new chairman, Graham is taking over the gavel from Ann L. Taylor of Luling, who was born and raised in Houma before moving to St. Charles Parish. She is co-owner and marketing director of Louisiana Sportsman Magazine.</p><p>Graham's background includes a stint on the conservation programs committee for Ducks Unlimited, and he once served as chairman for the Lincoln Parish Ducks Unlimited chapter.</p><p>Graham's term as Wildlife and Fisheries Board chairman ends in 2016, while Voisin's term is scheduled to expire in 2015. Taylor's term ends next year.</p><p>Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>